ObJective: To study and compare the components content of Terminalia chebula Retz. and T. chebula Retz. Var. tomentella Kurt

lay the foundation for improving its quality standard. Method: Character identification

TLC and HPLC were used to determine the content of gallic acid from them. Result: According to the determination of the 13 batches of T. chebula Retz. and the 11 batches of T. chebula Retz. Var. tomentella Kurt.

the content of gallic acid in T. chebula Retz. was significantly higher than that in T. chebula Retz. var. tomentella Kurt.

and the highest content was up to 7 times. The results of identification did also show large gap between them. Conclusion: The methods established in this article to determine the content of gallic acid can be used for the quality control of T. chebula Retz. and the result is reliable and reproducible. The method of TLC has a good specificity

which can well distinguish the component differences between them. The purpose of identification can be achieved.